Netflix already runs an incredible operation as the go-to source for streaming Hollywood and independent films, but their television side of things could use some work. Sure, you can already stream many full seasons of older television shows through the service, but Hulu is still the biggest name in town when it comes to streaming first-run television shows online.

It now looks like Netflix is eager to change all of that and are positioning themselves to challenge Hulu directly. They’re so serious about becoming your first choice in streaming entertainment no matter what you watch that they are now trying to compete with Hulu directly by offering up to $100,000 per episode for the rights to stream new television shows.

Nothing’s certain yet, of course. One big roadblock is there seems to be a lot of disagreement between the production companies of television shows and the networks when it comes to who owns the rights to streaming first-run television content through Netflix: the producers say the rights lay with them, but the networks say they have exclusive first broadcast rights.

It’s a thorny issue, of course, but with Netflix willing to throw so much cash on the table in order to compel production companies and networks to figure these issues out, I wouldn’t be surprised if Netflix manages to take the lead over Hulu in 2011, at least when it comes to watching streaming first-run television online.